Bill Text: MI HB5723 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Health occupations; emergency medical services personnel; certain restrictions and requirements governing the provision of emergency medical services; suspend during a declared emergency. Amends secs. 20910, 20921, 20954, 20958 & 20961 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.20910 et seq) & adds sec. 20960.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-04-28 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 04/30/2020 [HB5723 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HB5723-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 5723
April 24, 2020, Introduced by Rep. Sheppard and
referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled
"Public health code,"
by amending sections 20910, 20921, 20954, 20958, and 20961 (MCL 333.20910, 333.20921, 333.20954, 333.20958, and 333.20961), section 20910 as amended by 2006 PA 582, section 20921 as amended by 2014 PA 413, section 20954 as amended by 2000 PA 375, section 20958 as amended by 2010 PA 304, and section 20961 as added by 1990 PA 179, and by adding section 20960.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 20910. (1) The department shall do all of the
following:
(a) Be responsible for
the development, coordination, and administration of a statewide emergency
medical services system.
(b) Facilitate and
promote programs of public information and education concerning emergency
medical services.
(c) In case of actual
disasters and disaster training drills and exercises, provide emergency medical
services resources pursuant to under applicable provisions of the
Michigan emergency preparedness plan, or as prescribed by the director of
emergency services pursuant to under the emergency management act, 1976
PA 390, MCL 30.401 to 30.421.
(d) Consistent with the
rules of the federal communications commission, Federal Communications Commission, plan,
develop, coordinate, and administer a statewide emergency medical services
communications system.
(e) Develop and maintain
standards of emergency medical services and personnel as follows:
(i) License emergency medical services personnel in accordance
with this part.
(ii) License ambulance
operations, nontransport prehospital life support operations, and medical first
response services in accordance with this part.
(iii) At Subject to section 20960, at least
annually, inspect or provide for the inspection of each life support agency,
except medical first response services. As part of that inspection, the department
shall conduct random inspections of life support vehicles. If a life support
vehicle is determined by the department to be out of compliance, the department
shall give the life support agency 24 hours to bring the life support vehicle
into compliance. If the life support vehicle is not brought into compliance in
that time period, the department shall order the life support vehicle taken out
of service until the life support agency demonstrates to the department, in
writing, that the life support vehicle has been brought into compliance.
(iv) Promulgate rules
to establish the requirements for licensure of life support agencies, vehicles,
and individuals licensed under this part to provide emergency medical services
and other rules necessary to implement this part. The department shall submit
all proposed rules and changes to the state emergency medical services
coordination committee and provide a reasonable time for the committee's review
and recommendations before submitting the rules for public hearing under the
administrative procedures act of 1969.
(f) Promulgate rules to establish and maintain standards for
and regulate the use of descriptive words, phrases, symbols, or emblems that
represent or denote that an ambulance operation, nontransport prehospital life
support operation, or medical first response service is or may be provided. The
department's authority to regulate use of the descriptive devices includes use
for the purposes of advertising, promoting, or selling the services rendered by
an ambulance operation, nontransport prehospital life support operation, or
medical first response service, or by emergency medical services personnel.
(g) Designate a medical control authority as the medical
control for emergency medical services for a particular geographic region as
provided for under this part.
(h) Develop and implement field studies involving the use of
skills, techniques, procedures, or equipment that are not included as part of
the standard education for medical first responders, emergency medical
technicians, emergency medical technician specialists, or paramedics, if all of
the following conditions are met:
(i) The state
emergency medical services coordination committee reviews the field study prior
to implementation.
(ii) The field study
is conducted in an area for which a medical control authority has been approved
pursuant to under subdivision (g).
(iii) The medical first
responders, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technician
specialists, and paramedics participating in the field study receive training
for the new skill, technique, procedure, or equipment.
(i) Collect data as necessary to assess the need for and
quality of emergency medical services throughout the this state pursuant to under 1967 PA 270, MCL 331.531 to 331.533.331.534.
(j) Develop, with the advice of the emergency medical
services coordination committee, an emergency medical services plan that
includes rural issues.
(k) Develop recommendations for territorial boundaries of
medical control authorities that are designed to assure ensure that there exists reasonable emergency
medical services capacity within the boundaries for the estimated demand for
emergency medical services.
(l) Within 1 year
after the statewide trauma care advisory subcommittee is established under
section 20917a and in consultation with the statewide trauma care advisory
subcommittee, develop, implement, and promulgate rules for the implementation
and operation of a statewide trauma care system within the emergency medical
services system consistent with the document entitled "Michigan Trauma
Systems Plan" prepared by the Michigan trauma coalition, Trauma Coalition, dated November 2003. The
implementation and operation of the statewide trauma care system, including the
rules promulgated in accordance with this subdivision, are subject to review by
the emergency medical services coordination committee and the statewide trauma
care advisory subcommittee. The rules promulgated under this subdivision shall
not require a hospital to be designated as providing a certain level of trauma
care. Upon On implementation of a
statewide trauma care system, the department shall review and identify
potential funding mechanisms and sources for the statewide trauma care system.
(m) Promulgate other rules to implement this part.
(n) Perform other duties as set forth in this part.
(2) The department may do all of the following:
(a) In consultation with the emergency medical services
coordination committee, promulgate rules to require an ambulance operation,
nontransport prehospital life support operation, or medical first response
service to periodically submit designated records and data for evaluation by
the department.
(b) Establish a grant program or contract with a public or
private agency, emergency medical services professional association, or
emergency medical services coalition to provide training, public information,
and assistance to medical control authorities and emergency medical services
systems or to conduct other activities as specified in this part.
Sec. 20921. (1) An
ambulance operation shall do all of the following:
(a) Except as provided in section 20921a, provide at least 1
ambulance available for response to requests for emergency assistance on a
24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis in accordance with local medical control
authority protocols.
(b) Respond or ensure that a response is provided to each
request for emergency assistance originating from within the bounds of its
service area.
(c) Operate under the direction of a medical control
authority or the medical control authorities with jurisdiction over the
ambulance operation.
(d) Notify the department immediately of a change that would
alter the information contained on its application for an ambulance operation
license or renewal.
(e) Subject to section 20920(7) to (12) and section 20921a,
provide life support consistent with its license and approved local medical
control authority protocols to each emergency patient without prior inquiry
into ability to pay or source of payment.
(2) An ambulance operation shall not do any of the following:
(a) Knowingly provide a person with false or misleading
information concerning the time at which an emergency response will be
initiated or the location from which the response is being initiated.
(b) Induce or seek to induce any person engaging an ambulance
to patronize a long-term care facility, mortuary, or hospital.
(c) Advertise, or permit advertising of, within or on the
premises of the ambulance operation or within or on an ambulance, the name or
the services of an attorney, accident investigator, nurse, physician, long-term
care facility, mortuary, or hospital. If 1 of those persons or facilities owns
or operates an ambulance operation, the person or facility may use its business
name in the name of the ambulance operation and may display the name of the
ambulance operation within or on the premises of the ambulance operation or
within or on an ambulance.
(d) Advertise or disseminate information for the purpose of
obtaining contracts under a name other than the name of the person holding an
ambulance operation license or the trade or assumed name of the ambulance
operation.
(e) If the ambulance operation is operating under an
ambulance operation upgrade license issued under section 20920(7) to (12),
advertise or otherwise hold itself out as a full-time transporting limited
advanced life support service or a full-time transporting advanced life support
service unless the ambulance operation actually provides those services on a 24-hour-per-day,
7-day-a-week basis.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) and section 20921a and subject to section 20960,
an ambulance operation shall not operate, attend, or permit an ambulance to be
operated while transporting a patient unless the ambulance is, at a minimum,
staffed as follows:
(a) If designated as providing basic life support, with at
least 1 emergency medical technician and 1 medical first responder.
(b) If designated as providing limited advanced life support,
with at least 1 emergency medical technician specialist and 1 emergency medical
technician.
(c) If designated as providing advanced life support, with at
least 1 paramedic and 1 emergency medical technician.
(4) An ambulance operation that is licensed to provide
advanced life support and has more than 1 ambulance licensed under its
operation may operate an ambulance licensed to provide basic life support or
limited advanced life support at a higher level of life support if all of the
following are met:
(a) The ambulance operation has at least 1 ambulance under
its operation that is properly staffed and available to provide advanced life
support on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis.
(b) The licensed personnel required to operate at that higher
level of life support are available at the scene and in the ambulance during
the patient transport to provide life support to that patient at that higher
level.
(c) The ambulance meets all equipment and communication
requirements to operate at that higher level of life support.
(d) The ambulance operation that is unable to respond to a
request for emergency assistance immediately requests assistance pursuant to under protocols
established by the local medical control authority and approved by the
department under this part.
(5) Except as provided in subsection (6), an ambulance
operation shall ensure that an emergency medical technician, an emergency
medical technician specialist, or a paramedic is in the patient compartment of
an ambulance while transporting an emergency patient.
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to the transportation of a
patient by an ambulance if the patient is accompanied in the patient
compartment of the ambulance by an appropriate licensed health professional
designated by a physician and after a physician-patient relationship has been
established as prescribed in this part or the rules promulgated by the
department under this part.
Sec. 20954. (1) Upon Subject to section 20960, on proper
application to the department and payment of the renewal fee under subsection
(2), the department may renew an emergency medical services personnel license
if the applicant meets the requirements of this part and provides, upon request
of the department, verification of having met ongoing education requirements
established by the department. If an applicant for renewal fails to provide the
department with a change of address, the applicant shall pay a $20.00 fee in
addition to the renewal and late fees required under subsections (2) and (3).
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), an
applicant for renewal of a license under section 20950 shall pay a renewal fee
as follows:
(a) Medical first responder - no fee.
(b) Emergency medical technician - $25.00.
(c) Emergency medical technician specialist - $25.00.
(d) Paramedic - $25.00.
(e) Emergency medical services instructor-coordinator -
$25.00.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), if an
application for renewal under subsection (1) is postmarked after the date the
license expires, the applicant shall pay a late fee in addition to the renewal
fee under subsection (2) as follows:
(a) Medical first responder - $50.00.
(b) Emergency medical technician - $50.00.
(c) Emergency medical technician specialist - $50.00.
(d) Paramedic - $50.00.
(e) Emergency medical services instructor-coordinator -
$50.00.
(4) A license or registration shall be renewed by the
licensee on or before the expiration date as prescribed by rule. The department
shall mail a notice to the licensee at the last known address on file with the
department advising of the time, procedure, and fee for renewal. Failure of the
licensee to receive notice under this subsection does not relieve the licensee
of the responsibility for renewing his or her license. A license not renewed by
the expiration date may be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date upon
application, payment of renewal and late renewal fees, and fulfillment of any
continued continuing education requirements set forth in rules promulgated
under this article. The licensee may continue to practice and use the title
during the 60-day period. If a license is not so renewed within 60 days of the
expiration date, the license is void. The licensee shall not practice or use
the title. An individual may be relicensed within 3 years of the expiration
date upon application, payment of the application processing, renewal, and late
renewal fees, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements in
effect at the time of the expiration date, or that would have been required had
the individual renewed his or her license pursuant to under subsection (1). An individual may be
relicensed more than 3 years after the expiration date upon application as a
new applicant, meeting all licensure requirements in effect at the time of
application, taking or retaking and passing any examinations required for
initial licensure, and payment of fees required of new applicants.
(5) If a life support agency certifies to the department that
an applicant for renewal under this section is a volunteer and if the life
support agency does not charge for its services, the department shall not
require the applicant to pay the fee required under subsection (2) or a late
fee under subsection (3). If the applicant for renewal ceases to meet the
definition of a volunteer under this part at any time during the effective
period of his or her license renewal and is employed as a licensee under this
part, the applicant for renewal shall at that time pay the fee required under
subsection (2).
(6) An individual seeking renewal under this section is not
required to maintain national registry status as a condition of license
renewal.
Sec. 20958. (1) The
department may deny, revoke, or suspend an emergency medical services personnel
license upon finding that an applicant or licensee meets 1 or more of the
following:
(a) Is guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting
to procure licensure.
(b) Has illegally obtained, possessed, used, or distributed
drugs.
(c) Has practiced after his or her license has expired or has
been suspended.
(d) Has knowingly violated, or aided or abetted others in the
violation of, this part or rules promulgated under this part.
(e) Is not performing in a manner consistent with his or her
education, licensure, or approved medical control authority protocols.
(f) Is physically or mentally incapable of performing his or
her prescribed duties.
(g) Has been convicted of a criminal offense under sections
520a to 520l 520o of the Michigan
penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.520a to 750.520l. 750.520o. A certified copy of
the court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.
(h) Has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony reasonably
related to and adversely affecting the ability to practice in a safe and
competent manner. A certified copy of the court record is conclusive evidence
of the conviction.
(2) The Subject to section 20960, the department
shall provide notice of intent to deny, revoke, or suspend an emergency
services personnel license by certified mail or personal service. The notice of
intent shall set forth the particular reasons for the proposed action and shall
advise the applicant or licensee that he or she is entitled to the opportunity
for a hearing before the director or the director's authorized representative.
If the person to whom the notice is sent does not make a written request to the
department for a hearing within 30 days of receiving the notice, the license is
considered denied, revoked, or suspended as stated in the notice. If requested,
the hearing shall must be conducted pursuant to under the
administrative procedures act of 1969 and rules promulgated by the department.
A full and complete record shall
must be
kept of the proceeding and shall
must be
transcribed when requested by an interested party, who shall pay the cost of
preparing the transcript. On the basis of a hearing or on the default of the
applicant or licensee, the department may issue, deny, suspend, or revoke a
license.
(3) The department may establish procedures, hold hearings,
administer oaths, issue subpoenas, or order testimony to be taken at a hearing
or by deposition in a proceeding pending at any stage of the proceeding. A
person may be compelled to appear and testify and to produce books, papers, or
documents in a proceeding.
(4) In case of disobedience of a subpoena, a party to a
hearing may invoke the aid of the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which
the hearing is held to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses. The
circuit court may issue an order requiring an individual to appear and give
testimony. Failure to obey the order of the circuit court may be punished by
the court as a contempt.
Sec. 20960. (1) Notwithstanding any
provision of this part to the contrary, during the states of emergency and
disaster declared under Executive Order No. 2020-39 or any extension of that
order, all of the following relief measures apply:
(a) The department may temporarily suspend strict compliance with the annual inspection requirements for life support vehicles and life support agencies under section 20910(1)(e)(iii). The department shall inspect a life support vehicle or life support agency if the department has reason to believe that the vehicle or agency is out of compliance. An inspection conducted under this subdivision must, to the greatest extent possible, be conducted remotely, such as by videoconferencing, telephone conversation, and electronic review of required documents.
(b) The department may temporarily suspend strict compliance with the ambulance staffing requirements under section 20921(3). An ambulance must not be operated while transporting a patient unless it is staffed with emergency medical services personnel possessing at least the following qualifications:
(i) If designated as providing basic life support, with at least 1 emergency medical technician and 1 medical first responder.
(ii) If designated as providing limited advanced life support, with at least 1 emergency medical technician specialist and 1 medical first responder.
(iii) If designated as providing advanced life support, with at least 1 paramedic and 1 medical first responder.
(c) An ambulance operation or nontransport prehospital life support operation may downgrade the life support level of its vehicles according to staffing and vehicle availability without advising the department as follows:
(i) An ambulance or nontransport prehospital life support vehicle that is designated as providing advanced life support may be designated as providing limited advanced life support or basic life support.
(ii) An ambulance or nontransport prehospital life support vehicle that is designated as providing limited advanced life support may be designated as providing basic life support.
(iii) Any ambulance operation or nontransport prehospital life support operation that has downgraded a vehicle under this subdivision must appropriately and securely store all advanced level equipment and medications that should no longer be in the downgraded vehicle.
(d) The transport of a patient, whether emergency or nonemergency, is allowed to any destination designated by the medical control authority.
(e) The department may waive verification of ongoing education requirements when reviewing an application for renewal or relicensure of an emergency medical services personnel license. If the application is for relicensure, the department may only waive verification if the applicant has been licensed by the department within the last 5 years.
(f) All emergency medical services personnel licenses that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster are considered unexpired and do not expire until 6 months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster.
(g) All professional certifications in basic cardiac life support that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster are considered unexpired and do not expire until 6 months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster.
(h) The department may temporarily suspend compliance with section 20961(1)(a) and (d) to grant a license under this part to an applicant licensed in another state without regard to whether the applicant meets the requirements of this part and the rules promulgated by the department for licensure or whether the state in which the applicant is licensed maintains licensure standards equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state.
(i) The department may temporarily suspend strict compliance with section 20958(2) to allow a notice of intent to deny, revoke, or suspend an emergency services personnel license to be provided to the applicant or licensee by electronic communication.
(j) The department may promulgate rules, issue orders and directives, and take other actions provided by law as necessary to implement Executive Order No. 2020-39. Any rules, orders, directives, and actions taken under this subdivision ceases to be in effect at the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster.
(2) As used in this section, "COVID-19" means coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Sec. 20961. (1) The
department may grant a license under this part to a person who is licensed in
another state at the time of application if the applicant provides evidence
satisfactory to the department as to all of the following:
(a) The Subject to section 20960, the applicant
meets the requirements of this part and rules promulgated by the department for
licensure.
(b) There are no pending disciplinary proceedings against the
applicant before a similar licensing agency of this or any other state or
country.
(c) If sanctions have been imposed against the applicant by a
similar licensing agency of this or any other state or country based upon
grounds that are substantially similar to those set forth in section 20165 or
20958, as determined by the department, the sanctions are not in force at the
time of the application.
(d) The Subject to section 20960, the other
state maintains licensure standards equivalent to or more stringent than those
of this state.
(2) The department may make an independent inquiry to
determine whether an applicant meets the requirements described in subsection
(1)(b) and (c).
